FRIENDS of whistleblower, Father Matthew Despard, say the priest believes the Catholic Church may turn its back on him.

THE priest who made explosive claims about gay sexual bullying in the Catholic Church fears he could be stripped of his priesthood, claim friends.

They say details Father Matthew Despard, 48, exposed in his bombshell book Priesthood in Crisis have left senior clerics reeling.

The whistleblower – who said sexual misconduct had been rife in junior seminaries for years – believes the church could turn its back on him. A friend said: “Bishop Joe Devine called diocesan advisers to an emergency meeting to discuss Fr Depard’s claims.

“They told him he must ask the priest to attend a private meeting and explain his actions.

“They were said to be furious about what had been said. No definite action has been taken but the objective is clear – to silence him. He’s expecting some disciplinary action but is worried they might try to drive him out of the church.”

Fr Despard is set to meet the Bishop after Easter. Motherwell Diocese said: “Talk of laicizing Fr Despard is totally inaccurate.”

The controversial book claims a powerful gay mafia covered up a culture of sexual bullying. Fr Despard told how he fended off numerous advances from fellow students and priests from his time as a seminarian.

He said he then became a victim of verbal abuse and bullying. His revelations came just weeks after claims that Cardinal Keith O’Brien tried to seduce trainee priests.

Fr Despard has many supporters.

One, named Jim Paton, wrote: “Just found out that Bishop Devine is now in the process of laicizing Father Matthew. This is it people, time to stand and be counted and give Father Matthew your support.”